Floridians - How do you cope with cold fronts?

[got ants]

Originally Posted by susiep

Wow, Ants! I was wondering what happened to all the iguanas! We don't have too many in Weston yet, but I know there are thousands in Hollywood and Pembroke Pines. I drive west on Taft everyday on my way home. I used to see at least 20 on the banks of the canals or by the side of the road. Some of them easily 4 ft long. Lately I haven't seen a single one. Very sad. But maybe it is for the best to decrease the population a little bit. They are really taking over and becoming a problem for the native species. Still so very sad. I miss seeing the little dinosaurs.

Susie, I have mixed feeling about the the iguanas. I like them and think they are cool, but they are an invasive species. Some areas that had large populations of them have problems with them devouring plants. For some reason the corridor from University Drive west to I-75 is real bad. We have them in Hollywood, but only in isolated pockets.

None of the iguanas shown survived. We had them in a large reptile cage with two heat rocks, heat lights, and even a space heater nearby. Probably because they were out in the cold for more than two days before we picked them up. It was sickening putting them in the trash, but, they really do not belong here.

My chids are still in the garage and hopefully be put out tomorrow. Since there is no lights in there other than a single 60 watt light bulb overhead, they need some sun ASAP. Might invest in a grow light in the future.

An issue I am discovering, is the plants are prone to rot as there is no air flow and they stay damp too long. Even with a DeLonghi oil filled heater in there, they still need more air flow.

[susiep]

Here are some pics of my winter set up! I have a shade house made up of several arbors nailed together and screened. I just wrapped the whole thing in plastic and put a heater inside. I was able to keep it above 50 even on the coldest nights (upper 30's). I got the little heater at the grocery store and it is really nice. It blows air out in 360 degrees and the heater never gets too hot to touch. In the day time I turn off the heater and open a flap to keep the temp down. The sun is intense here and it can easily shoot up to 90 in there even on a cool day. So I don't have to move those approx 70 plants anymore!

[susiep]

Ants, I know what you mean. I have lived here 50 years and I loathe what has happened to south Florida with the invasive plant and animal species. We will never be able to correct all the damage. However, this time it looks like nature decreased the population a little bit for us. All for the best. People need to stop letting their exotic pets free when they tire of them. Don't get me started on that topic!!!!

[Sandy4453]

Iguanas Falling From Trees in Florida: Kamikaze Iguanas | NowPublic News Coverage

[gsytch]

This winter has been ROUGH here in SW Pasco Co - Tampa Bay. Jan was the 6th coldest ever. Feb headed that way. Surprisingly, my Dendrobiums suffered the most. My catts all look great and are blooming everywhere, so they obviously do not mind the cold. There have been so many days where it never got out of the 50's, even sleet fell HERE in early Jan! Orchids are going strong with just outdoor protection or unheated covered shadehouse. I do spray them down during the peak afternoon sun (when I can). I think being left alone most of the time - I do NOT do cold yard work - helped them. They dried out well, which is how they survive the cold best. Greg in New Port Richey FL

[got ants]

Here we go again. Sheesh, just how many more cold nights we gots coming?

S'posed to be near 40* fridee morn. Most everything will have to come in (45* is my breaking point) with most of my stuff hot to intermediate growers.

My wife is giving me a hard time about all the anoles I keep bringing in the house.

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by got ants

Here we go again. Sheesh, just how many more cold nights we gots coming?

S'posed to be near 40* fridee morn. Most everything will have to come in (45* is my breaking point) with most of my stuff hot to intermediate growers.

Not many more, I hope. This has been some of the most persistent cold I have ever seen here. I'm just sick of it. I want the 70's to come back so I can put my plants outside all day. I've only been able to put them outside for fourteen days over the course of the past two months. A lot of my plants aren't reacting too well to being cooped up inside, but I don't have a choice. It's either that or let them freeze.

[fotofashion]

Got ants-- what a cute anole. The ones we have here in TX don't have those beautiful markings on their back like yours. I assume they also are green in warm weather.
Beverly A.

[got ants]

Bev, the green anole is a native species that is disappearing from our environment. The brown anole is rapidly replacing it.

If you do not no, the green can change colours, and why the are commonly misidentified as chameleons. The browns can get lighter or darker, but not change colour.

Green Anoles

[fotofashion]

Yes, I have observed the green anoles here put on different shades of a grey/brown. Have you ever seen two of them fighting? They look like two dinosaurs having at it.
I did not know the brown ones you have are not native. How did they get here and where from?
Beverly A.